CLINTON TWP — Take one of this country's most popular sports, add a bit of history and a lot of hospitality and what do you get?

For local golfers, it's Saxon Golf Course, known for its wide-open and level fairways.

“It's one of the flattest courses in Western Pennsylvania,” said Frank Ekas, Jr., vice president and superintendent at Saxon. “People are not required to ride a cart here and a lot of people walk it because it is so flat.”

The Ekas family is synonymous with the 52-year old public course, which includes 27 holes.

Ten members of the family work or help out either in the clubhouse or on the course itself.

Ekas Jr.'s wife, Shirley, serves as secretary and treasurer. His daughter, Tancie Plutyk, works as clubhouse manager and his uncle, Rich Ekas, helps out almost on a daily basis.

Ekas, Jr.'s younger daughter, Krystle, granddaughter Jenna Plutyk and grandsons Alex and Andrew Olczak and Dylan Plutyk all find ways to pitch in, from mowing grass to collecting used golf balls for sale in the clubhouse.

The head of the family, Frank Ekas, Sr., 88, is president of the course and can often be found cutting grass himself.

“Working with family, it creates a better atmosphere,” said Ekas, Jr. “Everybody seems to be on the same wavelength.

“We have a total of 25 employees and even the ones we aren't related to, I look at as extended family.”

Evidence of the family's roots is not hard to find.

The nearby village of Ekastown as well as Ekastown Road, which runs right in front of the course, were named long before Ekas, Sr. and friend Bud Klingensmith began construction on the course in the late 1950s.

“My great, great, great grandfather had a blacksmith shop not far from here,” said Ekas, Jr., 52.

Ekas, Sr. had little experience with golf before becoming involved with Saxon. His interest was in flying after piloting a B-24 bomber in World War II.

But when Klingensmith approached him about buying 104 acres in Clinton Township and turning it into a golf course, the latter was open to the idea.

“It looked like a thing to do,” he said. “He had the money and I had the time.”

With the help of friend and excavating business owner Jack Barkman, the original front nine opened in May 1960, followed by the back nine in 1962.

Klingensmith remained part owner until being bought out in 1976.

Ekas, Jr. spent much of his time growing up on the course.

“I collected my first paycheck from here when I was 12 years old,” he said. “My first job was picking balls up off the driving range for 50 cents an hour.

“My dad and I used to golf here every Sunday night.”

Over the years, Saxon has had a few serious bouts with Mother Nature.

In June 1972, remnants of Hurricane Agnes dropped heavy rains on the course.

“We had carts (stranded) out on No. 9,” said Ekas, Jr. “There was a river in between there and the clubhouse and we couldn't get them through the water.”

On May 31, 1985, an F3 tornado touched down in Beaver County and traveled east, eventually cutting a path through Saxon Golf Course.“It knocked down 70-plus trees,” said Ekas, Jr. “We had closed earlier that day because of heavy rains and remained closed the next day. We opened again on June 2.“Everybody chipped in so that we could open that soon,” he added. “A lot of our customers wanted to get back to golfing and brought chainsaws to help get the trees out of here.”The tornado did create an opportunity for the course.“The 1970s and 80s were the boom days of golf,” said Ekas, Jr. “Every course was packed and we were thinking about adding a third nine.“The tornado cleared enough trees out that we decided to go ahead with adding more holes.”That addition, known as the Saxon East Course, opened to the public in 1992.With all 27 holes, the family tries to follow one simple rule.“We try to keep it pleasant, yet challenging,” said Ekas, Jr.Saxon has a lot of things going for it, not the least of which is the friendly reception encountered by golfers.On one online golf course review site, a customer wrote of Saxon, “What a great course! I swear they cut the grass three times a day. The people who work there know what customer service is all about.”“I feel proud when I read something like that,” said Shirley Ekas. “The people working here are great.”To show their customer appreciation, Saxon will slash its prices for three days later this month.From May 22-24, golfers can walk nine for $7 and 18 for just $12. A cart for nine will cost $12 and $22 for 18 holes.“It's just our way to give a little back,” said Ekas, Jr.Getting enjoyment from the course is not limited to the golfers.“It's given us more than I ever hoped for,” said Ekas, Sr.Ekas, Jr. agreed, saying, “I can't see the course leaving the hands of our family any time soon.”